Insects of Southern Australian Broadacre Farming Systems - Grains ...

CEREAL APHIDS
Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia)
BIOSECURITY THREAT
NOT PRESENT IN AUSTRALIA
Distinguishing characteristics/description
adult
10 mm
20
30
Short antennae
Elongated spindleshaped
body
Pale green in colour
Dual tail appearance
(cauda - bifurcate)
Siphuncles
not visible
Early feeding
damage: streaking along
plant veins (white and
purple in colour)
Confused with/similar to
Russian wheat aphid (RWA) can be confused with
other cereal aphids but the lack of visible siphuncles
distinguishes this exotic aphid threat from common
cereal species.
Distribution and means of spread
RWA has spread throughout all major grain growing
countries except Australia. If this exotic pest enters
Australia it has been estimated that it could cause
significant damage to crops, resulting in up to 60-75%
yield loss.
Later feeding
damage: flag leaf
curling and immaturity
of grain head; prostrate
appearance
As with all aphids, RWA would spread through crops by
active flight or wind currents. Long-distance dispersal
overseas also occurs through hitchhiking on machinery,
clothes or plant material.
Crops attacked/host range
Wheat, barley, triticale, oats and rye are preferred hosts,
but RWA can attack most cereal crops.
This species spends its entire lifecycle on cereals and
grasses. Volunteer cereals and grasses around crop edges
and road verges can provide a food source, particularly
over summer (between harvest and emergence of
autumn-planted crops).
SECTION 4 COMMON Pest, Beneficial AND EXOTIC Species
39
Insects of Southern Australian Broadacre Farming Systems Identification Manual and Education Resource © 2012